In the anime, the Whirl Islands had indeed featured in one of the most unusual arcs.
Because within the Whirl Islands, there reside not just one, but two Lugias!
One is the mother Lugia, while the other is her child, the young Lugia. And of course, also entangled in this matter, are Team Rocket, who have their eyes set on capturing Lugia.
"Since you already have a prior engagement, then let us postpone our plans for next time," Lucas said at last, temporarily putting these thoughts aside as he gave Ilene a gentle reassurance.
This queen, however, had truly given him quite a few surprises. As for Maya, that mysterious sea priestess of the Whirl Islands, Lucas found himself genuinely intrigued by her abilities.
And Lugia… well… compared to Rayquaza, Groudon, or Kyogre, Lugia was not at the very top of his priorities. It was better to make a trip to Hoenn first. By the time they returned, the Whirl Cup Cup would still be on time.
There was no need to rush.
---------------------
Nightfall.
Out on the balcony of the castle, Lucas stood with the cool night wind brushing against his face. His gaze stretched out across the glittIleneg lights of Rota, while in his hand he held a communicator, speaking softly with his father—Cassius.
"Father, have you been well these past years?"
Lucas's voice was low, tinged with a faint trace of emotion. Though his sense of belonging to the clan was never particularly strong, the truth remained: this was his family in this life.
And Cassius had never wronged him, on the contrary, he had always shown him love and deep affection.
"Father is fine, my body remains healthy. It's just…"
Cassius chuckled warmly, though at the end his tone revealed a quiet expectation. "Lucas, when will you return home for a visit?"
"I will return to Blackthorn once I finish with matters here," Lucas answered after a moment's silence, his voice steady.
"Good! Then Father will await you at the clan estate," Cassius replied, joy seeping into his voice.
"Father, aren't you curious about what I've been doing all these years outside?"
Lucas could not help but ask. After all, he had been missing for a full ten years, only returning once to the clan during that entire time.
Yet Cassius had always given him absolute trust, never prying, never doubting.
At this moment, Lucas truly did not know what he should be feeling in his heart.
"You are already grown, naturally you have your own thoughts and your own life to live. No matter what may happen, remember this—our Blackthorn Clan will always be your support."
Cassius's response came without hesitation, a smile within his voice.
In his heart, he had always felt guilt towards Lucas. For no matter what was said, that day ten years ago, when Lucas was taken away had left a scar that never truly healed.
Lucas's eyes flickered, and a faint warmth surged within his chest.
"…Father, I am now an executive of Team Rocket."
After a moment's hesitation, Lucas finally confessed to Cassius the truth of his current identity.
Cassius: "…"
Ah, this…
Cassius was completely stunned on the spot!
He had imagined many possibilities about what Lucas might have been doing outside. When Lucas returned five years ago, Cassius had already sensed that he had not been suffering, but instead carried an imposing aura—his very presence seemed to scream this child is destined to be extraordinary.
But never, not even in his wildest imagination, did he expect that Lucas would actually join Team Rocket, that infamous evil organization!
No wonder. No wonder Lance had suddenly returned to the clan not long ago, asking questions about Lucas.
"Lucas, Team Rocket… is not a good home for you," Cassius finally muttered after a long pause, smiling bitterly.
The Blackthorn clan had long been renowned in Johto as one of its strongest clans. Since the very founding of the Pokémon League, they had rooted themselves firmly in Blackthorn City.
With the Dragon's Den as their resource and with the Blackthorn Gym's leadership traditionally reserved for their bloodline, their prestige was unshakable.
Especially in this generation: Indigo's Champion was none other than Lance Blackthorn—the pride of the clan.
Even if Lance himself did not feel deeply attached to the clan, he still bore the Blackthorn name with pride, never once denying it before others.
And Lucas too, born with the power of dragons, was a peerless genius among geniuses. Cassius had never once doubted his son's future.
The Blackthorn Clan held two extraordinary prodigies—it was only natural for them to rise to unparalleled glory!
Even Clair, though less dazzling than Lucas or Lance, had become a formidable Dragon-type trainer and now served as the Gym Leader of Blackthorn, recognized as an Elite Four-level powerhouse.
Cassius had always firmly believed that the Blackthorn Clan's current fame in Johto and Kanto was only the beginning. But now… oh heavens!
Lance had become Champion of Kanto… while Lucas had become a Team Rocket Executive, opposing him directly.
This…
Cassius felt his head spinning.
"Father, I know this well. I've even already clashed with Cousin Lance in Celadon," Lucas said with a faint smile.
As for Team Rocket… to be honest, Lucas himself had not yet decided what future role he would play in it. Perhaps the only way to truly determine Team Rocket's fate would be during its final confrontation with the Kanto League.
"What a disaster…"
Cassius sighed, his brow furrowed deeply. Truly, what a tragedy.
In this generation, two scions had inherited the Dragon Force—Lance and Lucas. Yet fate had placed them upon opposite sides.
He wanted to persuade Lucas to leave Team Rocket, but he could not find the right words.
"And what was the outcome?" Cassius finally asked.
"I barely managed to win. Lance is indeed very strong," Lucas admitted with a small shake of his head.
If not counting his legendaries, their strengths were nearly equal. His Shiny Dragonair could never overwhelm Lance's Dragonite as Reshiram could. At most, it would end in a draw.
Currently, Lucas had only glimpsed the threshold of the Master level, and he did not know whether Lance had as well.
But such a small difference in realm could not decide victory between them—not without legendaries.
"…You defeated Lance?"
Cassius was shocked.
His son was only eighteen years old! And yet he had defeated Champion Lance?
Unbelievable!
"I took advantage of a few circumstances, that's all. Father, I have an idea I wonder if you've ever considered."
Lucas did not dwell further on this battle. For him, defeating Lance was not a great milestone. Using legendaries was not cheating—it was his strength. If he could capture them, they were his to use.
The title of "Dragon Master" was only temporary. One day, the world would call him the Legendary Trainer.
Actually, even now, it was not far from the truth.
The Galarian Moltres, Eternatus, Reshiram, Genesect, and Mew halfway joined already counted as four and a half legendaries.
If desperate, he could always borrow Zapdos and Articuno from Giovanni to complete a full team of six.
"Speak," Cassius urged, finally steadying his breath.
"Father, the Blackthorn Clan is already Johto's foremost family. But don't you think… the entire Indigo League is far too vast?"
A grin slowly spread across Lucas's lips.
"It is precisely because of its vastness that Indigo League is known as the 'First Region,'" Cassius replied, not fully grasping his son's meaning.
After all, though Johto and Kanto were sometimes distinguished, they were still collectively considered one unified region: Indigo League.
By landmass and population, Indigo far surpassed other regions. With the League Headquarters on Indigo Plateau, naturally much focus was given to Kanto proper, often leaving Johto overlooked.
Still, Johto's eight Gyms remained officially recognized. With the current Elite Four's power, Indigo's title as the First Region was secure.
"…But it cannot last forever," Lucas sneered softly. "Indigo is simply too vast. Team Rocket has already begun devouring Johto. Perhaps as early as this year, the Indigo League will be forced to split Kanto and Johto apart."
After all, how could four Elite Four members manage such an enormous territory?
This was precisely why Carr had developed so comfortably in Johto—he even had time to hunt Entei.
"…Your meaning?" Cassius's heart trembled. He finally understood.
"Yes, Father. This is the opportunity for the Clan," Lucas said, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Once the League establishes a Johto branch, we can seize our chance. Perhaps even claim the seat of Johto League Chairman itself."
If that happened, the Blackthorn Clan would truly rise to unparalleled heights.
"This… Lucas, this will not be so simple," Cassius murmured, though his heart pounded wildly. If they could seize a position within the Johto League, and with Lance already Champion of Indigo, and Clair perhaps aiming for Johto's Elite Four…
If Lucas too one day abandoned Team Rocket and redeemed himself, becoming Johto Champion or Elite Four…
Cassius sucked in a cold breath. At that time, their Blackthorn Clan would hold sway over both Kanto and Johto. No one would be their equal.
"Not so difficult, if we move correctly, Father," Lucas chuckled. "The Johto League—our Blackthorn Clan shall claim it."
"This matter is grave. I must consult the elders," Cassius said after steadying himself.
It would not be easy, but if the entire clan united… perhaps it could be done.
"Of course, Father. Please do so."
"Good. When you return, contact me immediately."
After a few more words, the call ended.
Lucas gazed at the crescent moon above, deep in thought.
This ambition had only just come to him, yet it was not impossible.
"Seems I'll have to make some arrangements for Lance," he mused.
Lance was a top-tier trainer. It would be a waste not to make use of him.
But binding him to the clan required careful planning—especially since Lance's tendencies were beginning to veer toward dangerous obsession.
In the Pokémon Special manga, that Lance who tried to slaughter the world for his ideals was utterly unacceptable.
"Such extremists… the only cure is to beat some sense into them," Lucas said softly, rolling a Poké Ball in his hand.
Reasoning would never work. Even in defeat, Lance remained arrogant, second only to the heavens.
But after enough beatings, he would learn. If once was not enough, then twice. If twice was not enough, then three times.
After all, he was his dear cousin.
(End of Chapter)